The Day They Came to Arrest the Book Read Online Free Page A

nowhere else in the book is there any disapproval of the use of the word ‘nigger’ or of the diseased state of mind of those who use that word.”
    “But surely,” Mr. Moore said soothingly, “in class discussion, Ms. Baines, an excellent teacher, and certainly a person without a speck of prejudice—”
    “Now listen—” Carl McLean put a finger on the principal’s desk. “I have no doubt that the teacher will say the right thing about how badly those white folks treated blacks. But let me tell you something, sir. What is going to stay in the minds of these kids, white and black, is: ‘nigger,’ ‘nigger,’ ‘nigger.’ And they are also going to remember the ignorance and superstition of the so-called sympathetic black character, ‘Nigger Jim,’ as well as the ignorance and superstition of every other black, without exception, in this book.”
    Gordon McLean was nodding vigorously at every point made by his father, who continued: “Mr. Twain was one hell of a good writer. That’s why this book is still alive. So it doesn’t much matter what a teacher says about it, how she explains it. The book speaks very powerfully for itself. And what it keeps saying is ‘nigger.’ ”
    Carl McLean rose. “Let me lay it right on the line, Mr. Moore. I do not want my son, or any other black child, to have to hear in a classroom, day after day, ‘nigger,’ ‘nigger,’ ‘nigger.’ It’s demeaning and degrading and, if you will excuse me,
stupid
on the part of whoever selected that book. I believe I have made myself clear, and I expect the book will be pulled out of the course. Immediately!”
    The principal also rose. “I hear you,” he said. “I hear you loud and clear, Mr. McLean. And certainly, any parent who feels that strongly that a particular book is not right for his child—”
    “Come on, Mr. Moore. I know what you’re going to say, but I said
any
black child. Not just Gordon. No, that won’t work—excusing only my son from having to read the book. It wouldn’t be fair, in any case, because that book is a basic part of the course. If Gordon doesn’t read it, he’s going to know only part of what everybody else is studying. And on the other hand, for God’s sake, they’ll be talking about that book in class. What is Gordon supposed to do—hold his hands over his ears? There is only one thing you can do, Mr. Moore.
Huckleberry Finn
has to be
eliminated!”
    Carl McLean waved a finger at the principal. “And it has to be eliminated not only from the curriculum. That book cannot be allowed to remain in the school library for any child who may come upon it. You yourself said that your teacher would interpret the book correctly, and I pointed out that no amount of interpretation can undo the harm of that book’s language. But for the sake of argument, suppose you have a point. All the more reason to remove the book from the
library
, where a child just picks it up, reads it—figuring it’s okay because it’s in the school—and gets no interpretation from anybody. That way the book is guaranteed to do harm.
Huckleberry Finn
has no proper place
anywhere
in George Mason High School.”
    “Mr. McLean,” said the principal, “I very much appreciate your coming in this morning. We want to know, we need to know, our parents’ concerns about the school. After all, you are our employers. On this particularmatter, you will appreciate that I have to consult with the faculty and librarian, but I can assure you that this will all be done swiftly, and I shall be in touch with you very shortly.”
    “Give me a date,” Carl McLean said.
    “A week from today at the latest. You have my word.”
    “You understand”—McLean stared at him—“that I am not bargaining. Either the book goes, or there will be a mobilization of a good many parents besides myself.”
    Mr. Moore held out his hand. “Again, I hear you. It has been a pleasure meeting with you.”
    McLean just barely shook the